Rwanda extends virus lockdown for two weeks — Secondary school students wash their hands at temporary handwashing point before they return home as Rwandan Government decided to send back all students of boarding schools after the first case of COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus was found on March 13, in Kigali, on March 16, 2020. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)

Rwanda has extended a national lockdown for another two weeks in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus, which has so far infected 82 people, according to a government statement issued late Wednesday.

Rwanda was among the first nations in Africa to impose a lockdown, banning all “unnecessary movements” outside the home, shutting down schools, shops, and public transport.

“To further contain the outbreak, Cabinet extended the existing measures for an additional two weeks, until 23:59 on Sunday 19th April 2020,” read the statement issued after an extraordinary cabinet meeting via video conference chaired by President Paul Kagame.

Rwanda has the second-highest number of infections in East Africa after Mauritius which stands at 154, although Kenya is rapidly catching up after a leap saw an increase to 81 on Wednesday.